Best of Springfield 2009

The BEST OF SPRINGFIELD was a fresh idea in 1982 when we first asked our readers to
identify the best burger in town. In the 27 editions since then we’ve worked to
keep it fresh by shaking up categories, asking different questions. As you’ll
see over the next 30 pages, there’s plenty to celebrate about the individuals
and businesses that call central Illinois home.

How we do it: The ballot was available online and
in print for two full weeks. There were 2,500 voters who participated but fewer
than 100 used the paper ballot. The best thing about the online balloting is
the votes are tallied automatically – and we’re able to confirm one vote per
e-mail address – so no one is able to stack the deck for any nominee.

Who put it together?Contributing writers include staffers
Amanda Robert, Patrick Yeagle, Fletcher Farrar and Courtney Enlow who were
joined by freelance contributors Tom Irwin, Jolonda Young and Job Conger. Many
of these individuals contributed photography along with Dave Hine, who also
designed most of the ads. Joe Copley is responsible for editorial design
layout. Beth Irwin, Tia Schoen and Tauna King do an amazing job on the ad side
and Brenda Matheis manages circulation and the business end. I have no doubt
that together we are THE BEST OF SPRINGFIELD.

And now a word for our ‘sponsors.’ We could not do what we do without
the 100 advertisers who send marketing messages through the pages of Illinois
Times each week. In these challenging times that confidence in IT is more
meaningful than ever.

Sharon Whalen,
publisher

PHOTOS BY PATRICKâYEAGLE

BEST CHIPS & SALSA

Xochimilco Mexican
Restaurant

2941 West Iles Ave., 546-3116

3210 Northfield Dr., 544-9206

6901 Preston Dr., 438-1006

We sure love our fajita quesadillas and burrito specials, but
Mexican wouldn’t be Mexican without the pre-dinner crunch of chips and salsa.
Xochimilco once again dominated in this category, but this year, La Fiesta,
Café Brio, Los Agaves and Cancun all received 100 votes or more. Our readers
really get behind their chips and salsa and often pick their favorite cantina
accordingly. Should chips be salty, oily or crispy? And the salsa — should it
be chunky or well-blended, mild or hot? You be the judge. Stop by any of
Xochimilco’s three locations, or visit its competitors for some variety.

Runner-up: La Fiesta

BESTMARGARITAS

Xochimilco Mexican
Restaurant

2941 West Iles Ave., 546-3116

3210 Northfield Dr., 544-9206

6901 Preston Dr., 438-1006

The perfect compliment to a great Mexican meal is an icy, sweet
margarita, and Xochimilco has both. While the drink’s origin is disputed, its
ambrosial flavor is not. Xochimilco makes them in original lime, or you can be
a little more daring and try the piña colada, peach or strawberry flavors. When
one may not be enough, you can order a whole pitcher to accent the awesome free
chips and salsa – the perfect way to shake off the weekday drudgery or welcome
the weekend. If you’re craving some sweet nectar, head to Xochimilco for a real
treat.

Runner-up: La Fiesta

BEST MEXICAN FOOD

Xochimilco Mexican
Restaurant

2941 West Iles Ave., 546-3116

3210 Northfield Dr., 544-9206

6901 Preston Dr., 438-1006

Xochimilco is to Springfield as shrimp, chicken, tendered
steak and chorizo are to its fiesta fajitas. The longstanding institution
belongs here, and year after year, our readers agree. Nearly 450 voters handed
first place to the Mexican restaurant, which serves everything from burritos
and chimichangas to the enchiladas supreme — five different enchiladas filled
with beef, chicken, bean, cheese or beef tips, topped with melted cheese,
lettuce, tomatoes and sour cream. We’re equally intrigued by the huevos con
chorizo, two scrambled eggs with Mexican sausage, served with rice, beans and
tortillas. Cost-friendly lunch items, as well as vegetarian combinations, are
also available.

It’s easy to think of Starbucks as this corporate coffee behemoth,
but when you look into all they’ve done for the community, they suddenly seem a
little more like Mom ’n Pop. Carol McFarland, manager of the Hilton location,
tells us that one of their most important charity ventures is donating funds to
families of teenagers who’ve been in car accidents to pay for their medical
bills. They also give to churches, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and the Animal
Protective League, in part because of the Hilton’s dog-friendly policy. Other
Springfield locations work heavily with Habitat for Humanity and support
neighborhood projects with money and volunteers. Of course, the charitable
nature doesn’t begin and end with Springfield. Starbucks as a whole funds clean
water education, gives Youth Action Grants, and is part of the (Red) movement
to save the lives of those living with HIV in Africa. Have some ethics with
your morning coffee.

Runner up:
Grab-a-Java

BEST ASIAN FOOD

Magic Kitchen

115 N. Lewis St., 525-6975

4112 N. Peoria Rd., 525-2230

The number of Asian restaurants around Springfield is
growing at a gratifying pace, but an old favorite — Magic Kitchen – is always a
good bet for Thai food. Their peanut sauce alone is enough to make our mouths
water. When you’re done with the delicate and crunchy egg rolls, dump the rest
of the peanut sauce on the garlic chicken – it’s delicious beyond description.
If you’re daring and would like something intensely spicy, go for the “hot” pad
thai. It will not disappoint. Just be sure to get there early. It’s a popular
place, and it fills up quickly. As an added bonus, you can bring your own
cooler of booze to their Peoria Road location. Does it get any better than
that? Little Saigon was a close second, with their delicious crab rangoon and
pineapple shrimp fried rice.

Runner-up: Little
Saigon

BEST CHILI

Joe Rogers’ Original
Recipe Chili Parlor

820 S. Ninth St., 522-3722

When Rick and Rose Hamilton purchased Joe Rogers’
Original Chili last December, they were well aware of this Springfield
treasure, featured in the magazine, Bon Appetit and the Food Channel’s “Man v.
Food.” Purchasing the restaurant meant inheriting the coveted “best chili”
title. And just like its former owner, they are issuing you a challenge. Before
you agree, you should know that this challenge just might fry your hair, curl
your toes, and set your insides on fire. Still not backing down? Pull up to Joe
Rogers’ Original Chili, order yourself a bowl of “firebrand,” and keep a
pitcher of water real close because when you’re done you’ll want to extinguish
the fire that’s sure to be ablaze on your insides. Those who managed to eat the
flaming hot bowl are honored with an inscription of their name on the wall.

What makes this chili so special? Perhaps it is the fact
that the beans and the meat are cooked separately, giving customers the ability
to tailor their chili with just the right amount of beans, meat and grease to
their liking. Yes, we did say grease, which is sometimes ordered without the
chili. (Yikes!) To give you an idea of just how popular this chili is, Rose
Hamilton says they sell an average of 170 pounds per day. But don’t flock to
Joe’s for dinner or on Sundays. The restaurant is open Monday through Saturday
from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Second place goes to Steak ’n Shake, with Joe’s Chili Bowl
taking third place.

Runner-up: Steak ’n
Shake

PHOTOS BY PATRICKâYEAGLE

BEST BAR FOOD

D’Arcy’s Pint

661 W. Stanford Ave., 492-8800

D’Arcy’s Pint bills itself as a “cozy, neighborhood-style
tavern serving authentic Irish fare and American classics.” Our voters must dig
the best of both worlds — Irish Reubens, McCafferty’s cheese steaks and
bookmaker sandwiches on one hand, chipotle burgers, sausage grills and buffalo
chicken sandwiches on the other — as nearly 300 of them turned out to tell us
that the local pub takes the cake in the Best Bar Food category. Co-owner Glenn
Merriman credits D’Arcy’s bartenders, servers and staff for making the bar
worth a trip, too. “We get a lot of repeats,” he says. “People come a lot just
to see the help.”

Runner-up: Barrelhead

BEST COMFORT FOOD

D’Arcy’s Pint

661 W. Stanford Ave., 492-8800

Comfort food (n.) Tasty, uncomplicated food that feeds your
soul. Forget mashed potatoes and macaroni and cheese — for D’Arcy’s Pint
co-owner Glenn Merriman that means “stuff that gets you over the hump to the real
meal.” And really, after a long day at the office, who wouldn’t want to kick
back with a hefty mug of Guinness and a whole plate of Irish nachos, white
cheddar cheese nuggets or battered portabella mushrooms? Oh, and nothing says
contentment like D’Arcy’s Irish boxty — traditional Irish potato cakes stuffed
with jalapenos or bacon and scallions, drizzled with a homemade cheese sauce.

Runner-up: Cracker
Barrel

BEST PLACE TO IMPRESS OUT-OF-TOWN GUESTS

D’Arcy’s Pint

661 W. Stanford Ave., 492-8800

If D’Arcy’s Pint is good enough for Al Roker from the Food
Network’s “Roker on the Road” and Adam Richman from the Travel Channel’s “Man
v. Food,” it won’t be beyond the pale for your dear granny from Vermont or your
nitpicky in-laws from Arizona. Follow the rainbow…er, Stanford Avenue, to the
authentic Irish pub and restaurant, where you’ll find favorites like the Dublin
pot roast — slow-roasted pot roast served on oven-baked ciabatta bread with
Irish farmhouse cheddar and caramelized onion — and the Celtic Philly cheese —
corned beef stacked on a grilled hoagie and smothered with grilled onions,
peppers and cheese. For dinner, try the Taste of Ireland — a combo of Irish
Rover’s shepherd’s pie, corned beef and cabbage and fish ‘n’ chips.

Runner-up: Ross Isaac

BEST UNIQUE HORSESHOE

D’Arcy’s Pint

661 W. Stanford Ave., 492-8800

Is anyone surprised that D’Arcy’s once again snagged the top
spot in this category? Along with simple, yet scrumptious, hamburger and
buffalo chicken ’shoes — that’s meat served over Texas toast, topped with fries
and cheese sauce for you out-of-towners — the Irish eatery features a weekly
special. One voter told us they crave the Celtic horseshoe: “I’ve only seen it
eaten once, but man, oh, man, I pray it’s the special every time I go.” Caitie
Girl’s won second place, and after tasting its signature horseshoe, created
with jalapeno cheddar cornbread, pulled pork BBQ and pepper jack cheese sauce,
we know why.

Comments

Old Comments

Seriously .... can we exclude these big box chain places from inclusion? Come on folks, Cracker Barrel as runner up for "comfort food"? Starbucks over Grab-A-Java for Best Coffee shop? Results like that are proof that this town is deluded.

How about a category for "Best Homogenized Food Offerings"? Then this poll would make more sense.

If Starbucks and Cracker Barrel are the "Best of Springfield", then I want to move!

Using local ingredients is something that people are throwing around lightly lately and it should be taken very seriously. Many of the chefs competing for this years Best Chef use nothing but the best of local farmers and producers, it certainly doesn't make Ross Isaac unique. And the food choice certainly doesn't make it worth the hefty sum you pay to eat there.